Ted Turner’s Ex-Wives: All About His Past Marriages, Including Jane Fonda

Media mogul Ted Turner has dominated headlines for decades as the founder of CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the creator of iconic pop-culture staples like Captain Planet. But his personal life – including three high-profile marriages to his ex-wives, most notably Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda – has also remained a topic of public fascination.

If you’ve ever wondered about Ted Turner’s wives, how his marriages unfolded, or why his relationship with Jane Fonda captured global attention, we’ve broken down every key detail below.

Who Is Ted Turner?

Before diving into his relationships, it’s worth noting Turner’s massive professional legacy. He launched CNN in 1980 as the first 24-hour news network, revolutionizing global media. He also owned the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks, funded environmental initiatives, and became one of the most recognizable business figures of the 20th century.

Despite his public success, Turner has always kept details about his ex-wives and personal life relatively private, only sharing occasional insights in interviews.

Ted Turner’s Ex-Wives: Full List of Past Marriages

Turner has been married three times, all ending in divorce. None of his marriages produced children with his third wife, Jane Fonda, but he has five children total from his first two marriages.

1. Judy Nye (1965–1967)

Turner’s first wife was Judy Nye, his high school sweetheart. The pair married in 1965 when Turner was just 26 years old, but divorced two years later in 1967.

They shared one son, Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III, born the same year they married. Nye has largely stayed out of the public eye post-divorce.

2. Jane Shirley (1968–1974)

Turner married his second wife, Jane Shirley, a year after his divorce from Nye in 1968. Shirley, a former receptionist, was married to Turner for six years before their divorce in 1974.

The couple had two daughters together: Laura Turner and Becky Turner. Shirley also maintained a low public profile after their split.

3. Jane Fonda (1991–2001)

Turner’s most high-profile marriage was to actress and activist Jane Fonda, whom he married in 1991. The pair met through mutual friends involved in environmental advocacy, bonding over shared passions for climate action and social justice.

Their marriage was often described as a “merger of icons” – Turner, the media mogul, and Fonda, the Hollywood legend and fitness pioneer. They had no children together, as Fonda already had two children from previous marriages and Turner’s kids were grown by the time they wed.

The couple divorced in 2001 after 10 years of marriage. In later interviews, both cited conflicting work schedules and growing lifestyle differences as key factors in their split. They remained friendly post-divorce, occasionally appearing together at charity events.

Ted Turner and Jane Fonda: Key Marriage Details

Their decade-long marriage remains the most talked-about of Turner’s relationships, thanks to both of their massive public profiles. Some notable facts about their time together include:

• They held their wedding at Turner’s ranch in Montana, with a guest list of fellow celebrities and business leaders.
• Fonda converted to Turner’s faith, Unitarian Universalism, during their marriage.
• Turner famously bought Fonda a 1,000-acre ranch as a wedding gift, which the pair used for environmental conservation projects.
• Despite their divorce, Fonda has spoken positively about Turner in interviews, calling him “a good man” and praising his passion for activism.

Does Ted Turner Have a Current Wife?

As of 2024, Ted Turner does not have a current wife. He has been single since his 2001 divorce from Jane Fonda and has not remarried. He splits his time between his Montana ranch and Atlanta, focusing on environmental philanthropy and managing his remaining business ventures.

Quick Facts About Ted Turner’s Marriages

• All three of Turner’s marriages ended in divorce, with no current spouse.
• He has five children total across his first two marriages.
• His marriage to Jane Fonda was his longest, lasting 10 years.
• All of his ex-wives except Jane Fonda have avoided the public eye post-divorce.

Conclusion

While Ted Turner’s business legacy is unmatched, his personal life with his ex-wives – especially his headline-making marriage to Jane Fonda – remains a point of curiosity for fans and pop culture enthusiasts alike. Each of his three marriages reflected different chapters of his life, from his early entrepreneurial years to his peak as a media mogul.

Whether you’re researching his family tree or just curious about his past relationships, the story of Ted Turner’s ex-wives offers a glimpse into the personal life of one of America’s most influential figures.